Located within the coastal town of Seaside, Florida, The Seaside Institute is a place where people gather to share ideas and practices that advance sustainable and human-scale development; seeking solutions that meet individual needs, enhance community life, and contribute to long-term prosperity. Founded in 1983, The Seaside Institute has been at the forefront of community-based planning and design. The Institute is dedicated to identifying, supporting, and making known new ideas, innovations, and approaches that can help communities face important challenges in the 21st century while focusing on three core principles: sustainability, connectivity, and adaptability.

Job Description Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the strategy, vision, and execution of the Institute. He or she will develop programming and messaging that will further the goals of the Institute, expand its scope and improve its visibility in the areas defined by the Board of Governors. The Executive Director will be responsible for managing the operation of the Institute, including staff and finances, and serve as a resource for the Board. The ability to obtain opportunities and support efforts focused on financial support for the Institute, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, is a crucial component of this role. While the Institute may recruit additional support to assist with fund-raising, an ideal candidate would be successful in fostering relationships that result in securing donations and grants. The Executive Director of the Institute is responsible for working with the staff to achieve growth and financial improvement and accomplish the mission and goals of the Institute.

Qualifications

The Institute is a small organization with a staff size reflective of the enterprise. Therefore, everyone on the team must be willing to wear all hats as needed and thus frequently require direct involvement in executive functions as well as mundane tasks.

The Executive Director is the primary spokesperson for Seaside Institute. The position requires excellent interpersonal skills and a strong understanding of public relations, marketing, and digital media. The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator, excellent strategist, and highly motivated self-starter capable of working closely with the board, staff, and volunteers.

This opportunity is for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree, or higher, preferably in urban planning or architecture. A minimum of five years of relevant work experience is required as well. Experience in community building is helpful. The successful candidate will need to be creative, resourceful, and able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Location

While living in or near Seaside is not a requirement, the candidate must be able to be on-site for frequent events.

Salary

Compensation is commensurate with skills, experience, and professional growth.